Strings and a Horn

I’ve mentioned TED.com before, and here’s another really neat video (20 min.).  I read Brian Greene’s The Elegant Universe several years ago (I believe he has updated it), and found it a well written summary of modern physics (there’s a number of good books out there, but his is particularly easy to understand; I’m not [...]

Oops and a Thought Experiment

An interesting case study of evolution in “real time” (that’s the oops).  This is one of several examples that demonstrates the challenge of studying evolution, and highlights a good question my father-in-law asked me recently: How do you study evolution when you can’t observe it?  I’m paraphrasing, but I interpreted and answered his question along [...]

Clarifying the Debate Some

In a recent presentation, I tried (among other things) to clarify the mis-use of the word theory by creationsists within the context of the evolution debate.  I ammended that entry to include this link, wherein Stephen J. Gould provides a far better (and pretty concise) explanation than I.  Gould was a really fascinating character. 

Conversations

A good series of concise essays on faith and science. Pay special attention to the mini-debates under select authors; all three are excellent and helpful exchanges.

Wolpe and Harris

This debate takes an investment in time (1:45), but it is well worth it. Rabbi David Wolpe and Sam Harris debate the existence of God. Careful listening will yield some good insights into the debate; don’t listen to hear a “winner”. Both make careful and valid points – the conversation is [...]

Debate Demeanor: “Expelled”

I ended my last post by saying that I was tired of the debate – that’s not accurate. I’m tired of the poor attitude often surrounding the debate – on both sides. I guess what really disturbs me about the position of ID advocates, and their religious posture, is that they want to [...]

The pot calling the kettle…

It’s interesting that anti-evolutionists will accuse academia of arrogance and conspiracy, and then do this.
You can see the trailer

Beauty: A Criterion for Truth?

For the past decade, I’ve spent most of my reading time digging into religious history and theology, but for most of the nineties (grad school), I was reading through many layman’s versions of physics (some biology as well). Through all that reading, I often came across the notion that physicists pursued an unwritten rule [...]

Global Warming

Morning Edition (NPR) had an interesting report on the “global warming” effect (maybe better called the “Al Gore” effect) on environmental issues, that is, GW getting all the attention, now at the expense of other environmental issues. Although, environmentalists aren’t slow witted, so as long as peoples’ attention is piqued, they tie in their [...]

Speaking of Faith

A couple weekends ago, I got to drive up for a quick trip to San Louis Obispo for the convention. On the way back, I left early Sunday and had one of the most beautiful drives down the coast ever. Something about the light gave a softness to everything that was wonderful. [...]